David Benavidez, fighting on Cinco de Mayo weekend, makes case as face of boxing

David Benavidez, the WBC light heavyweight titleholder and two-time super middleweight champion with a 31-0 record and 25 knockouts, will face WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez on Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a coveted Cinco de Mayo weekend slot. The 29-year-old Benavidez is moving up in weight for the bout and is taking the traditional Cinco de Mayo spot previously held by Canelo Álvarez, who is currently sidelined following elbow surgery. Benavidez has expressed ambitions to become the face of boxing as a whole, not just Mexican boxing, citing the holiday weekend's historic significance to the sport.